Auchmar Estate
Discover the stories of the last surviving country estate on Hamilton Mountain
Share Your Thoughts on the Future of Auchmar Estate
Auchmar Estate is a large property with a storied history located in your neighbourhood at 88 Fennel Avenue near Mohawk College and St Joseph's Healthcare. In 1999, the City of Hamilton became the owner of the estate.
The City of Hamilton is currently developing a plan for the future of this unique property and would like to invite you to help shape the Auchmar Estate Redevelopment Plan.
Complete the Engage Hamilton Survey by June 15th to share your opinion on potential uses for Auchmar Estate.
The Eras of Auchmar Estate
Once the home of Isaac Buchanan, notable Hamilton businessman and politician, Auchmar has served many different purposes throughout its history. Following Buchanan's tenure, his children occupied the estate, including his daughter Elsie, who operated a home for 'unwed mothers' in the early 1900s.
The Young family also called Auchmar home, before they offered the house as a convalescent hospital for the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.
In 1946, the Sisters of Social Service, a Catholic religious order, took up residence at the estate and operated a retreat centre until 1999, when the City of Hamilton purchased the property.
The Young family also called Auchmar home, before they offered the house as a convalescent hospital for the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.
In 1946, the Sisters of Social Service, a Catholic religious order, took up residence at the estate and operated a retreat centre until 1999, when the City of Hamilton purchased the property.
Sister Mary Schwartz and the Sisters of Social Service
An industrial boom at the turn of the 20th century acted as a driver for labour migration, bringing workers from central and eastern Europe to Hamilton in search of employment in the City's iron and steel industries. Many of these non-English speaking migrants settled the areas around industrial plants, bringing with them the cultures and traditions from their homeland, which in turn transformed Hamilton into a more diverse City.
One such group came from Hungary and as this population grew, the community established their own faith-based institutions. In order to support these efforts, the Bishop of Hamilton called upon the Sisters of Social Service, an order of nuns who had originally come from Hungary to the Canadian west in the 1920s to come to Hamilton.
Shortly upon their arrival, from Hungary via Stockholm Saskatchewan, the sisters, led by Sister Mary Schwartz, took up residence at and worked out of Auchmar Estate, where the order remained until the 1990s. Here the sisters employed their professional training in social work and social justice to support the local community and established the Holy Spirit Centre, which offered spiritual retreats and events for locals and visitors alike. Learn more about the Sisters' time at Auchmar and impact on the City through this video, part of the Stories of Migration and Belonging exhibition.
One such group came from Hungary and as this population grew, the community established their own faith-based institutions. In order to support these efforts, the Bishop of Hamilton called upon the Sisters of Social Service, an order of nuns who had originally come from Hungary to the Canadian west in the 1920s to come to Hamilton.
Shortly upon their arrival, from Hungary via Stockholm Saskatchewan, the sisters, led by Sister Mary Schwartz, took up residence at and worked out of Auchmar Estate, where the order remained until the 1990s. Here the sisters employed their professional training in social work and social justice to support the local community and established the Holy Spirit Centre, which offered spiritual retreats and events for locals and visitors alike. Learn more about the Sisters' time at Auchmar and impact on the City through this video, part of the Stories of Migration and Belonging exhibition.
